Thursday, December 13, 2007

Ok, it's official: I am an insipient absent-minded professor!

It goes like this: I got all dressed up for my meeting and turned up at the arranged location with my usual pathological earliness. I read a bit (more of that later) as a kind of mental twiddling of the thumbs until 11 am rolled around. It came: it went. At 11.06 am I phoned the aforementioned to enquire as to his whereabouts, but "no answer" was the stern reply. I read some more. Maybe I got the time wrong. Maybe, the meeting was scheduled for 11.30 am. At 11.27 am I phoned again and got a reply:

Me: Hi, where are you?

Him: Did you call me earlier?

Me: Yes, I'm at (the place - I wasn't sure I had it right) - where are you?

Him: The meeting is tomorrow!

Me: (Thinking "tomorrow" is Saturday and wondering how I could have gotten it so wrong) It is? It IS Friday today, isn't it?

Him: (cell phone breaking up a bit) No, it's Thursday.

Me: Oh. Fuck. See you tomorrow.

*click*

Labels:

Sometimes, it sucks to be me...

I've been patiently waiting for three months to hear whether or not I was successful in my scholarship application: I wasn't. The letter I received didn't explain why except to say, "There were a lot of applicants for relatively few scholarships." The italics are mine. How many is "relatively few"? Two? Seven hundred thirty-seven? This "relatively few" is in stark contrast to the bright, shiny, happy web page for scholarship prospects, published by the university, that gives the impression there is a money printing press owned by the university and virtually everybody who applies will be successful. I guess I'm not really surprised, but still. It's going to make things next year more financially difficult than I anticipated, but it won't be the first time in my life I've had to hustle to survive.

I mentioned in an earlier entry that I planned to move to Newcastle next year. That was dependant on getting a scholarship AND a bit of part-time work tutoring at the university. Now, unless I can wangle a full-time position, I'll stay put where I am and continue as an external student. It's a long-shot, but I have a meeting later today with my PhD supervisor and will discuss all of this with him. He has some influence there, but how much influence remains to be seen.

On a brighter note, only two more sleeps until my birthday. I'll be forty-five for the first time in my life! Yay! Numerologically, it's a 9 - a revolutionary number. Nine planets; nine Beethoven symphonies. In math number theory, 9 is a lucky number. So yeah, despite the setback, I'm looking forward to next year. Bring it on, baybee!

Labels:

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Annotated Astrology - Sagittarius & Leo

The only leos I've known in the past were all men. I always got along really well with them, despite the occasional irrits over vanity issues (theirs threatening to overshadow mine). But I've never met any leo women - not that I can remember, anyway, and certainly none that I've had any sort of relationship with. So it comes as a very pleasant surprise that I've recently met one and, in the brief time we've known each other, have come to regard her as a delightful companion. I say "companion" in the sense of "friend with some benefits". Alas, she's married with two adorable kids, and I'm not a marriage wrecker so, chances of anything more intimate and long term are remote at best. A picture I've seen of her husband brandishing an assault rifle and handgun is also reason enough not to mess around beyond the online realm. Also, the shared interest that brought us together in the first place is one that she currently shares with some other guy. I'm fine with that too. Anyway, here's what the astrologer over at Yahoo has to say about sagittarius and leo hooking up:

When Leo and Sagittarius join together in a love match, the result is often fireworks! Both Signs are extremely dynamic and enjoy life to the fullest. This couple is full of life and fun to be around, with each person encouraging the other to aim high! Sagittarius's philosophical tendency warrants a distraction to Leo's obsession with the larger-than-life. The two will have genuine admiration and respect for one another. Both are warm, charismatic and charming; people enjoy being in the energy this couple radiates.

Both Signs can be impatient but endearing, and Leo may be annoyed by Sagittarius's flirting, but there's never a dull moment in their relationship. Sagittarius sees the world as a textbook they must study from, while Leo acts as the gracious host. Both are extremely social, but it is vitally important to Leo that they feel that they are in control of the conversation. Leo is the Lion, the leader, while Sagittarius is the Archer, slowly taking the time to survey their target and feel the nuances of difference in their approach. Both Signs are usually respected by others, and it's important that each remembers to treat the other with the utmost respect as well.

Leo is ruled by the Sun and Sagittarius is ruled by the Planet Jupiter. Both are masculine energy archetypes, and together they make a good combination -- they understand one another because they are so similar. The Sun is about Self and Jupiter is about expansion and excess, together providing a personal and outward focus on themselves and the world, although sometimes they can overexert themselves. They're highly compatible with lots of energy, and can be a wonderful couple in any setting or situation.

Both Leo and Sagittarius are Fire Signs. This tends to be a very heated and passionate relationship. They both have boundless energy, and can seem the only ones able to keep up with one another's intensity. Although Sagittarius may become exhausted by Leo's expansive ego, their differences of opinion won't last long -- Sagittarius has moved on to the next project and Leo's optimism and need for a fan club overcome a petty argument.

Leo is a Fixed Sign and Sagittarius is a Mutable Sign. Sagittarius provides Leo with the deeper understanding they may be lacking, while Leo can fine-tune Sagittarius's charm and social graces. Sagittarius may be irritated by Leo's bossiness, shallow vanity and tendency to sulk. However, they are both loyal and devoted to one another, and the rewards of their union outweigh the minor setbacks.

What's the best aspect of the Leo-Sagittarius relationship? It's the willingness to work as a team and the mutual admiration they exhibit when dedicated to seeing things through. This duo complements one another with a combined attention to personal and world affairs. They both know their place in the relationship. Their comparable high energy and fiery passion makes them a versatile love match.

Labels:

Monday, December 10, 2007

Radical Christmas Light Displays



In case you're wondering, the music is Wizards in Winter by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. There's another version below:



And this, another display to an arrangement of Queen of the Night (Mozart) again by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra:

Labels: , ,